RE: Ferdinand KubitsThanks for your reply. I too have been trying to follow Laura. I was hoping this was the same Laura I am looking for. I came upon her name when I ordered my husband's, father's (John Henry Bentz)death certificate. It says his mother was Laura Kubitz born in Missouri. John was born in 1909 (Fonda Iowa) and I find him in the 1910 US census at one yr. and Laura and John's last name is spelled "Cubitt". It says she was born in Missouri and he was born in Iowa. If her age is correct on that record it may not be the same Laura. Another name is on that record, it is a Minnie Nervell. I just think there are too many coincidences. If john was born out of wedlock in 1909, I'm sure that was kept very quiet. John died in 1945 in ND. He committed suicide. He was only 39. He was raised or adopted by Anna and Henry Bentz of ND my husband's grandfather (or so we have always believed he was). I had hoped to get the birth certificate for John, but like I said the single mother's records are sealed in the state of Iowa. I even visited Fonda, Iowa last year, but couldn't find any information as I was there on a weekend, and on the way to catch a plane in Des Moines to go back home in WA state. If I can be of any help let me know. I have found info about Anna and Henry Bentz, but not John, except that he shows up as their son later in records. Another interesting fact is that Henry Bentz wasn't married to Anna until 1910 and that is another reason I believe John was born to Laura out of wedlock as he was born the year before Anna and Henry married. Anna didn't immigrate from Germany until 1910 and I have that record also. Aren't these puzzles frustrating! Thanks again, Sue Bentz

Ferdinand KubitsI am researching my husbands family and came across the article you have about Ferdinand Kubits. I was wondering if you have any info about his daughter Laura? Or do you know of anyone I could contact who might have info. My husbands father was born to Laura Kubits (she was born on Mar 12 1884 in Gasconade County MO) Her child was born out of wedlock as far as I can tell and because any birth records of single mothers born in Iowa before 1960 are all sealed I can't prove that. The child was named John Cubitt(or Kubits)He was born Mar 9th 1909 in Fonda Iowa. I noticed the article said that Ferdinand's daughter Laura wasn't able to attend the funeral because she was in Iowa, and that intrigues me because Laura was living in Iowa at that time. Her son, John was a year old at the time. I believe John was taken in or adopted by Henry and Anna Bentz, because after 1910 he is listed as a Bentz. It's possible that Henry Bentz was the biological father to John. I can't find any other info after 1910 about Laura. If you can help in any way it would be much appreciated. My husband never met his father, so it could be closure for him. His father committed suicide in 1945. Thank you, Sue Bentz dogcity56@comcast.net

Another Helmuth Gens ?Unusual name, but there must have been another one related that I can't find. A Helmuth Gens of St. Louis County, Missouri on May 5, 1897 obtained 120 acres in land patents in Sections 23 and 26, T42N, R08W, in Osage County, right in the area with which we are familiar. This is three years after the death date on the tombstone of the Helmuth Gens you have researched.

RE: a questionHi Jane :) I am with my dad (Gary Hamker) in AZ. right now and he says yes the people you mentioned are our relatives. My dad and I will send you another message in a few days with more info. Thank you so much for the message! My dad does not use computers and was THRILLED when I told him about this website and your message! Sincerely, Julie Hamker